EXHIBIT 9(b)(6)
EXHIBIT 2
PREFERRED REGISTRATION
TECHNOLOGY ESCROW AGREEMENT
Account Number 0000000-00002-0109001
Recitals
This Preferred Registration Technology Escrow Agreement including any
Exhibits ("Agreement") is effective this 10th day of September 1997, by and
among Data Securities International, Inc. ("DSI"), a Delaware corporation, First
Data Investor Services Group, Inc. ("Depositor"), and each registered investment
company listed on the attached Schedule A hereof ("Preferred Registrant").
WHEREAS, Depositor has entered into a certain Remote Access and
Related Services Agreement dated December 23, 1994, as amended by Amendment
Number 3 dated as of February 1, 1997 (the "Remote Agreement") with the
Preferred Registrant which pursuant thereto certain proprietary software, as
described in Section 12(i) of the Remote Agreement, in object-code form and
other materials of Depositor have been licensed to Preferred Registrant (the
"Software");
WHEREAS, Depositor and Preferred Registrant desire the Agreement to be
supplementary to said contract pursuant to 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Code Section
365(n);
WHEREAS, availability of or access to the source code and other
proprietary data related to the Software is critical to Preferred Registrant in
the conduct of its business;
WHEREAS, Depositor has deposited or will deposit with DSI such source
code and other proprietary data to provide for retention, administration and
controlled access for Preferred Registration under conditions specified herein;
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the promises, mutual
covenants and conditions contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Deposit Account. Following the delivery of the executed Agreement, DSI
shall open a deposit account ("Deposit Account") for Depositor. The
opening of the Deposit Account means that DSI shall establish an account
ledger in the name of Depositor, assign a deposit account number
("Deposit Account Number"), calendar renewal notices to be sent to
Depositor as provided in Section 30, and request the initial deposit
("Initial Deposit") from Depositor. Depositor has an obligation to make
the Initial Deposit. In the event that Depositor has not made the
Initial Deposit within sixty (60) days of the execution of this
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Agreement, DSI shall request the initial Deposit from Depositor and
notify Preferred Registrant that such Initial Deposit has not been
received.
2. Preferred Registration Account. Following the execution and delivery of
the Agreement, DSI shall open a registration account ("Registration
Account") for Preferred Registrant. The opening of the Registration
Account means that DSI shall establish under the Deposit Account an
account ledger with a unique registration number ("Registration Number")
in the name of Preferred Registrant, calendar renewal notices to be sent
to Preferred Registrant as provided in Section 30, and request the
Initial Deposit from Depositor. DSI shall notify Preferred Registrant
upon receipt of Initial Deposit.
3. Term of Agreement. The Agreement will commence on the effective date
and continue through January 31, 2000, unless terminated earlier as
provided in the Agreement. The Agreement may be extended for one (1)
year terms.
4. Exhibit A, Notices and Communications. Notices and invoices to
Depositor, Preferred Registrant or DSI should be sent to the parties at
the addresses identified in the Exhibit A.
Documents, payment of fees, deposits of material, and any written
communication should be sent to the DSI offices as identified in the
Exhibit A.
Depositor and Preferred Registrant agree to each name their respective
designated contact ("Designated Contact") to receive notices from DSI
and to act on their behalf in the performance of their obligations as
set forth in the Agreement. Depositor and Preferred Registrant agree to
notify DSI immediately in the event of a change of their Designated
Contact in the manner stipulated in Exhibit A.
5. Exhibit B and Deposit Material. Depositor will submit proprietary data
and related material ("Deposit Material") to DSI for retention and
administration in the Deposit Account.
The Deposit Material will be submitted together with a completed
document called a "Description of Deposit Material", hereinafter
referred to as Exhibit B. Each Exhibit B should be signed by Depositor
prior to submission to DSI and will be signed by DSI upon completion of
the Deposit Material inspection.
Depositor represents and warrants that it lawfully possesses all Deposit
Material, can transfer Deposit Material to DSI and has the authority to
store Deposit Material in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
6. Deposit Material Inspection. Upon receipt of an Exhibit B and Deposit
Material, DSI will be responsible only for reasonably matching the
labeling of the materials to the item descriptions listed on the Exhibit
B and validating the count of the materials to the quantity listed on
the Exhibit B. DSI will not be responsible for any other claims made by
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the Depositor on the Exhibit B. Acceptance will occur when DSI concludes
that the Deposit Material Inspection is complete. Upon acceptance DSI
will sign the Exhibit B and assign it the next Exhibit B number. DSI
shall issue a copy of the Exhibit B to Depositor and Preferred
Registrant within ten (10) days of acceptance.
7. Initial Deposit. The Initial Deposit will consist of all material
initially supplied by Depositor to DSI.
8. Deposit Changes. Depositor may desire or may be obligated to update the
Deposit Account with supplemental or replacement Deposit Material of
technology releases.
Supplemental Deposit ("Supplemental") is Deposit Material which is to be
added to the Deposit Account.
Replacement Deposit ("Replacement") is Deposit Material which will
replace existing Deposit Material as identified by any one or more
Exhibit B(s) in the Deposit Account. Replaced Deposit Material will be
destroyed or returned to Depositor.
9. Deposit. The existing deposit ("Deposit") means all Exhibit B(s) and
their associated Deposit Material currently in DSI's possession.
Destroyed or returned Deposit Material is not part of the Deposit;
however, DSI shall keep records of the destruction or return of Deposit
Material.
10. Replacement Option. Within ten (10) days of receipt of Replacement from
Depositor, DSI will send a letter to Preferred Registrant stating that
Depositor requests to replace existing Deposit Material, and DSI will
include a copy of the new Exhibit B(s) listing the new Deposit Material.
Preferred Registrant has twenty (20) days from the mailing of such
letter by DSI to instruct DSI to retain the existing Deposit Material
held by DSI, and if so instructed, DSI will change the Replacement to a
Supplemental. Conversion to Supplemental may cause an additional
storage unit fee as specified by DSI's Fee and Services Schedule.
If Preferred Registrant does not instruct DSI to retain the existing
Deposit Material, DSI shall permit such Deposit Material to be replaced
with the Replacement. Within ten (10) days of acceptance of the
Replacement by DSI, DSI shall issue a copy of the executed Exhibit B(s)
to Depositor and Preferred Registrant. DSI will either destroy or
return to Depositor all Deposit Material replaced by the Replacement.
11. Storage Unit. DSI will store the Deposit in defined units of space,
called storage units. The cost of the first storage unit will be
included in the annual Deposit Account fee.
12. Deposit Obligations of Confidentiality. DSI agrees to establish a locked
receptacle in which it shall place the Deposit and shall put the
receptacle under the administration of
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one or more of its officers, selected by DSI, whose identity shall be
available to Depositor at all times. DSI shall exercise a
professional level of care in carrying out the terms of the Agreement.
DSI acknowledges Depositor's assertion that the Deposit shall contain
proprietary data and that DSI has an obligation to preserve and
protect the confidentiality of the Deposit.
Except as provided for in the Agreement, DSI agrees that it shall not
divulge, disclose, make available to third parties, or make any use
whatsoever of the Deposit.
13. Audit Rights. DSI agrees to keep records of the activities undertaken
and materials prepared pursuant to the Agreement. DSI may issue to
Depositor and Preferred Registrant an annual report profiling the
Deposit Account. Such annual report will identify the Depositor,
Preferred Registrant, the current Designated Contacts, selected
special services, and the Exhibit B history, which includes Deposit
Material acceptance and destruction or return dates.
Upon reasonable notice, during normal business hours and during the
term of the Agreement, Depositor or Preferred Registrant will be
entitled to inspect the records of DSI pertaining to the Agreement,
and accompanied by an employee of DSI, inspect the physical status and
condition of the Deposit. The Deposit may not be changed during the
audit.
14. Renewal Period of Agreement. Upon payment of the initial fee or
renewal fee, the Agreement will be in full force and will have an
initial period of at least one (1) year unless otherwise specified.
The Agreement may be renewed for additional periods upon receipt by
DSI of the specified renewal fees prior to the last day of the period
("Expiration Date"). DSI may extend the period of the Agreement to
cover the processing of any outstanding instruction made during any
period of the Agreement.
Preferred Registrant has the right to pay renewal fees and other
related fees. In the event Preferred Registrant pays the renewal fees
and Depositor is of the opinion that any necessary condition for
renewal is not met, Depositor may so notify DSI and Preferred
Registrant in writing. The resulting dispute will be resolved
pursuant to the dispute resolution process defined in Section 25.
15. Expiration. If the Agreement is not renewed, or is otherwise
terminated, all duties and obligations of DSI to Depositor and
Preferred Registrant will terminate. If Depositor requests the return
of the Deposit, DSI shall return the Deposit to Depositor only after
any outstanding invoices and the Deposit return fee are paid. If the
fees are not received by the Expiration Date of the Agreement, DSI, at
its option, may destroy the Deposit.
16. Certification by Depositor. Depositor represents to Preferred
Registrant that:
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a. The Deposit delivered to DSI consists of the following: source
code deposited on computer magnetic media; all necessary and
available information, proprietary information, and technical
documentation which will enable a reasonably skilled
programmer of Preferred Registrant to create, maintain and/or
enhance the Software without the aid of Depositor or any other
person or reference to any other materials; maintenance tools
(test programs and program specifications); proprietary or
third party system utilities (compiler and assembler
descriptions); description of the system/program generation;
descriptions and locations of programs not owned by Depositor
but required for use and/or support; and names of key
developers for the technology on Depositor's staff.
b. The Deposit will be defined in the Exhibit B(s).
These representations shall be deemed to be made continuously
throughout the term of the Agreement.
17. Indemnification. Depositor and Preferred Registrant agree to defend
and indemnify DSI and hold DSI harmless from and against any and all
claims, actions and suits, whether in contract or in tort, and from
and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges,
penalties, counsel fees, and other expenses of any nature (including,
without limitation, settlement costs) incurred by DSI as a result of
performance of the Agreement except in the event of a judgment which
specifies that DSI acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.
18. Filing for Release of Deposit by Preferred Registrant. Upon notice to
DSI by Preferred Registrant of the occurrence of a release condition
as defined in Section 21 and payment of the release request fee, DSI
shall notify Depositor by certified mail or commercial express mail
service with a copy of the notice from Preferred Registrant. If
Depositor provides contrary instruction within ten (1O) days of the
mailing of the notice to Depositor, DSI shall not deliver a copy of
the Deposit to Preferred Registrant.
19. Contrary Instruction. "Contrary Instruction" is the filing of an
instruction with DSI by Depositor stating that a Contrary Instruction
is in effect. Such Contrary Instruction means an officer of Depositor
warrants that a release condition has not occurred or has been cured.
DSI shall send a copy of the instruction by certified mail or
commercial express mail service to Preferred Registrant. DSI shall
notify both Depositor and Preferred Registrant that there is a dispute
to be resolved pursuant to Section 25. Upon receipt of Contrary
Instruction, DSI shall continue to store the Deposit pending Depositor
and Preferred Registrant joint instruction, resolution pursuant to
Section 25, order by a court of competent jurisdiction, or termination
by non-renewal of the Agreement.
20. Release of Deposit to Preferred Registrant. Pursuant to Section 18, if
DSI does not receive Contrary Instruction from Depositor, DSI is
authorized to release the Deposit, or if more than one Preferred
Registrant is registered to the Deposit, a copy of the Deposit,
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to the Preferred Registrant filing for release following receipt of
any fees due to DSI including Deposit copying and delivery fees.
21. Release Conditions of Deposit to Preferred Registrant.
Release conditions are:
a. Depositor ceases to do business, makes an assignment for the
benefit of creditors, becomes insolvent (as revealed by its
books and records or otherwise), is generally unable to pay
its debts as such debts become due, or commences, or has
commenced against it a case under any chapter of state or
federal bankruptcy laws; and Depositor fails to cure any such
event within 60 days after receiving notice from Preferred
Registrant; and
b. Preferred Registrant has paid all amounts due Depositor under
the Remote Agreement.
22. Grant of Use License. Subject to the terms and conditions of the
Agreement, Depositor hereby transfers and upon execution by DSI, DSI
hereby accepts a non-exclusive, nontransferable, royalty-free license
("Use License") for the unexpired term of the Remote Agreement subject
to Section 15 thereof which DSI will transfer to Preferred Registrant
upon controlled release of the Deposit as described in the Agreement.
The Use License will be solely for Preferred Registrant's internal
purposes in connection with support, maintenance, and operation of the
Software solely as set forth in the Remote Agreement and not for any
other purpose or person.
23. Use License Representation. Depositor represents and warrants to
Preferred Registrant and DSI that it has no knowledge of any
incumbrance or infringement of the Deposit, or that any claim has been
made that the Deposit infringes any patent, trade secret, copyright or
other proprietary right of any third party. Depositor warrants that it
has the full right, power, and ability to enter into and perform the
Agreement, to grant the foregoing Use License, and to permit the
Deposit to be placed with DSI.
24. Conditions Following Release. Following a release and subject to
payment to DSI of all outstanding fees, DSI shall transfer the Use
License to Preferred Registrant. Additionally Preferred Registrant
shall be required to maintain the confidentiality of the released
Deposit.
25. Disputes. In the event of a dispute, DSI shall so notify Depositor and
Preferred Registrant in writing. Upon agreement of the parties at the
time of a dispute, such dispute will be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the commercial rules of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA"). Unless otherwise agreed to by Depositor and
Preferred Registrant, arbitration will take place in San Diego,
California, USA.
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26. Verification Rights. Depositor grants to Preferred Registrant the
option to verify the Deposit for accuracy, completeness and
sufficiency. Depositor agrees to permit DSI and at least one employee
of Preferred Registrant to be present at Depositor's facility to
verify, audit and inspect of the Deposit for the benefit of Preferred
Registrant. If DSI is present or is selected to perform the
verification, DSI will be paid according to DSI's then current
verification service hourly rates and any out of pocket expenses.
27. General. DSI may act in reliance upon any instruction, instrument, or
signature believed to be genuine and may assume that any employee
giving any written notice, request, advice or instruction in
connection with or relating to the Agreement has apparent authority
and has been duly authorized to do so. DSI may provide copies of the
Agreement or account history information to any employee of Depositor
or Preferred Registrant upon their request. For purposes of
termination or replacement, Deposit Material shall be returned only to
Depositor's Designated Contact, unless otherwise instructed by
Depositor's Designated Contact.
DSI is not responsible for failure to fulfill its obligations under the
Agreement due to causes beyond DSI's control.
The Agreement is to be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of California.
The Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all previous
communications, representations, understandings, and agreements,
either oral or written, between the parties. The Agreement may be
amended only in a writing signed by the parties.
If any provision of the Agreement is held by any court to be invalid
or unenforceable, that provision will be severed from the Agreement
and any remaining provisions will continue in full force.
28. Title to Media. Subject to the terms of the Agreement, title to the
media, upon which the proprietary data is written or stored, is and
shall be irrevocably vested in DSI. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Depositor will retain ownership of the proprietary data contained on
the media including all copyright, trade secret, patent or other
intellectual property ownership rights subsisting in such proprietary
data.
29. Termination of Rights. The Use License as described above will
terminate in the event that the Agreement is terminated without the
Use License transferring to Preferred Registrant.
30. Fees. Fees are due upon receipt of signed contract, receipt of Deposit
Material, or when service is requested, whichever is earliest. If
invoiced fees are not paid within sixty (60) days of the date of the
invoice, DSI may terminate the Agreement. If the payment is not
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timely received by DSI, DSI shall have the right to accrue and collect
interest at the rate of one and one-half percent per month (18% per
annum) from the date of the invoice for all late payments.
Renewal fees will be due in full upon the receipt of invoice unless
otherwise specified by the invoice. In the event that renewal fees are
not received thirty (30) days prior to the Expiration Date, DSI shall
so notify Depositor and Preferred Registrant. If the renewal fees are
not received by the Expiration Date, DSI may terminate the Agreement
without further notice and without liability of DSI to Depositor or
Preferred Registrant.
DSI shall not be required to process any request for service unless
the payment for such request shall be made or provided for in a manner
satisfactory to DSI.
All service fees and renewal fees will be those specified in DSI's Fee
and Services Schedule in effect at the time of renewal or request for
service, except as otherwise agreed. For any increase in DSI's
standard fees, DSI shall notify Depositor and Preferred Registrant at
least ninety (90) days prior to the renewal of the Agreement. For any
service not listed on the Fee and Services Schedule, DSI shall provide
a quote prior to rendering such service.
Fees invoiced by DSI are the responsibility of the Preferred
Registrant and as such all invoices in accordance with this Agreement
are to be sent to the Preferred Registrant.
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On behalf of the Investment Companies
and respective Portfolios and Classes
set forth in Schedule A attached
hereto as may be amended from
time to time.
By:/s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXX FIRST DATA INVESTOR SERVICES
--------------------------------- GROUP, INC.
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------- By:/s/ ILLEGIBLE
Title: President ---------------------------------
------------------------------ Name: ILLEGIBLE
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Title: Executive Vice President
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DATA SECURITIES
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:/s/ XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------------
Title: Contract Administrator
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SCHEDULE A
LIST OF FUNDS
AIM ADVISOR FUNDS, INC.
Portfolios: Classes:
AIM Advisor Cash Management Fund Class A and Class C Shares
AIM Advisor Flex Fund Class A and Class C Shares
AIM Advisor Income Fund Class A and Class C Shares
AIM Advisor International Value Fund Class A and Class C Shares
AIM Advisor Large Cap Value Fund Class A and Class C Shares
AIM Advisor MultiFlex Fund Class A and Class C Shares
AIM Advisor Real Estate Fund Class A and Class C Shares
AIM EQUITY FUNDS, INC.
Portfolios: Classes:
AIM Blue Chip Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Capital Development Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Charter Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Xxxxxxxxxx Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Aggressive Growth Fund Class A Shares
AIM Constellation Fund Class A Shares and Class C Shares
AIM FUNDS GROUP
Portfolios: Classes:
AIM Balanced Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Global Utilities Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Growth Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM High Yield Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Income Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Intermediate Government Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Municipal Bond Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Value Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Money Market Fund Class A, Class B, Class C and AIM Cash Reserve Shares
AIM INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, INC.
Portfolios: Classes:
AIM International Equity Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Global Growth Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Global Income Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM Asian Growth Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM European Development Fund Class A, Class B Shares and Class C Shares
AIM INVESTMENT SECURITIES FUNDS
Portfolios: Classes:
Limited Maturity Treasury Portfolio AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Shares
AIM TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS, INC.
Portfolios: Classes:
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund Class A Shares
AIM Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of Connecticut Class A Shares
Intermediate Portfolio AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Shares- Class A
EXHIBIT A
DESIGNATED CONTACT
Account Number: 0000000-00002-01090011
NOTICES, DEPOSIT MATERIAL RETURNS AND INVOICES TO DEPOSITOR SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING DELINQUENCIES TO First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.
DEPOSITOR SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: ------------------------------------------------
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
First Data Investor Services Group, Inc. ------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------- Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx ------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 ------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Invoice Contact: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
---------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Designated Contact: Xxxx Xxxxx
---------------------
Telephone: (000)000-0000
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Facsimile:
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State of Incorporation: Massachusetts
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NOTICES AND COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING INVOICES TO PREFERRED REGISTRANT SHOULD BE
DELINQUENCIES TO PREFERRED REGISTRANT ADDRESSED TO:
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: AIM Fund Services, Inc.
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AIM Fund Services, Inc. Eleven Greenway Plaza
Eleven Greenway Plaza -----------------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 Xxxxxxx, Xx 00000
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Designated Contact: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Invoice Contact: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
--------------------- -------------------------------
Telephone: (000)000-0000
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Facsimile:
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Requests from Depositor or Preferred Registrant INVOICE INQUIRIES AND FEE REMITTANCES TO DSI
Contact should be given Contact or authorized SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
employee Registrant.
DSI
CONTRACTS, DEPOSIT MATERIAL AND NOTICES TO DSI Attn: Accounts Receivable
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
DSI
Attn: Contract Administration
Telephone:
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Facsimile:
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Telephone:
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Facsimile:
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Date:
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